Digital microform imaging apparatus

Abstract

A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising a chassis, a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first substantially vertical optical axis to a second substantially horizontal optical axis, a microform media support structure supported at a location intersected by the first optical axis, a first carriage supported for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, an area sensor supported for movement along the second optical axis, the area sensor further supported by the first carriage for rotation about an axis parallel to the second optical axis and a lens supported for movement along the second optical axis, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror, a first motor mounted to the first carriage and linked to the area sensor for rotating the area sensor between at least two positions for obtaining portrait and landscape images of a microform media.

I claim: 
     
       1. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis, 
 a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first substantially vertical optical axis to a second substantially horizontal optical axis; 
 a microform media support structure supported by the chassis for supporting a microform media at a location intersected by the first optical axis; 
 a first carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis; 
 an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement along the second optical axis within a first range to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror, the area sensor further supported by the first carriage for rotation about an axis parallel to the second optical axis; and 
 a lens supported by the chassis for movement along the second optical axis within a second range to adjust the distance between the lens and the fold mirror, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror; and 
 a first motor mounted to the first carriage and linked to the area sensor for rotating the area sensor between at least two positions for obtaining portrait and landscape images of a microform media. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the area sensor is rotated substantially 90 degrees between the at least two positions. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a second carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, first and second elongated and substantially straight, parallel and spaced apart drive mechanisms that extend substantially parallel to the second optical axis and second and third motors that include second and third motor shafts, respectively, the first carriage coupled to the chassis via the first drive mechanism and the second motor such that rotation of the second motor shaft causes the first carriage to move along the first lead member along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, the lens supported by the second carriage and the second carriage coupled to the chassis via the second drive mechanism and the third motor such that rotation of the third motor shaft causes the second carriage to move along the second lead member along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first and second elongated drive mechanisms are supported at the same height. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the lens and the area sensor are located between the first and second drive mechanisms. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 3  further including at least first and second elongated straight lead members extending substantially parallel to the second optical axis, the first and second carriages each supported by the first and second lead members for movement there along. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the first lead member forms the second drive mechanism and the second lead member forms the first drive mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the second and third motor shafts include toothed pulleys and wherein the drive mechanisms include first and second toothed belts linked to the toothed pulleys on the second and third shafts, respectively. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the second and third motors are stationary with respect to the chassis while the first and second carriages move, respectively. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the first motor includes a first toothed pulley mounted to a motor shaft, the apparatus further including a toothed loop shaped belt that links the first motor shaft to the area sensor. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second ranges overlap at least somewhat. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 3  further including a controller that controls the first and second motors to move the first and second carriages simultaneously to at least somewhat maintain focus of an image on the area sensor as zoom is modified. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 3  further including a housing that forms an elongated cavity in which the drive mechanisms, carriages, motors, fold mirror, area sensor and lens are located, the cavity having a horizontal length dimension that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the housing and the cavity formed by the housing are located above the microform media support structure. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13  further including a bracket and a coupler, the bracket supported by the chassis for movement between forward and rearward positions along a longitudinal trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis, the coupler supported by and movable along with the bracket along the longitudinal trajectory, the coupler supported by the bracket for movement with respect to the bracket perpendicular to the longitudinal trajectory along a transverse trajectory, the media support structure mounted to the coupler for movement therewith along both the longitudinal trajectory and the transverse trajectory. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the bracket is mounted to the chassis via bearings and wherein the coupler includes rods mounted to the bracket via bearings. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15  further including a supply side roll film attachment and a take up side roll film attachment supported by the chassis on opposite sides of the housing that forms the elongated cavity. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the roll film attachments are immediately adjacent opposite sides of the housing. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the roll film attachments are mounted to the bracket for movement along with the bracket as the bracket moves between the forward and rearward positions along the longitudinal trajectory. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the roll film attachments are restricted for movement along directions parallel to the second optical axis. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the media support structure moves along the transverse trajectory unimpeded by the roll film attachments. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the media support structure further includes a first window, a second window and a frame, the first window supported by the frame and the second window hingedly mounted to the frame along a rear edge of the second window proximate a rear edge of the first window, at least portions of the frame, the first and the second windows moveable along the transverse trajectory to at least a first position where at least portions of the frame, first window and second window vertically overlap with the source roll film attachment and to at least a second position where at least portions of the frame, first window and second window vertically overlap with the take up roll film attachment. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the fold mirror is located within a front portion of the housing that has a width dimension parallel to the transverse trajectory, the media support structure further including a first window, a second window and a frame, the first window supported by the frame and the second window hingedly mounted to the frame along a rear edge of the second window proximate a rear edge of the first window, the frame, and first and second windows moveable along with the coupler parallel to the transverse trajectory to end locations where at least portions of the frame and first and second windows are vertically misaligned with the front portion of the housing. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23  further including a supply side roll film attachment and a take up side roll film attachment supported by the chassis on opposite sides of the front portion of the housing. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the roll film attachments are immediately adjacent opposite sides of the front portion of the housing. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the roll film attachments are mounted to the bracket for movement along with the bracket as the bracket moves between the forward and rearward positions along the longitudinal trajectory. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 23  further including a lever extending from the second window proximate the rear edge of the second window, the lever traveling along a path during movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, a ramp supported by the chassis and within the path that the lever travels during movement between the rearward and forward positions so that the lever contacts the ramp and the second window is angled upward with respect to the first widow when the frame and first and second windows are in the forward position and so that the lever is released from the ramp and the second window is parallel to the first window when the frame and the first and second windows are in the rearward position. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein a light source is supported by the chassis and is vertically spaced from the fold mirror to form a gap and wherein the microform media support structure is vertically aligned with the gap for movement into and out of the gap. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the light source directs light through the media support structure onto the fold mirror. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the light source is a first light source, the apparatus further including a second light source supported within the housing to direct light toward the media support structure to reflect off a microform media supported thereby and back toward the fold mirror. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the media support structure further includes a first window, a second window and a frame, the first window supported by the frame and the second window hingedly mounted to the frame along a rear edge of the second window proximate a rear edge of the first window, a lever extending from the second window proximate the rear edge of the second window, the frame and first and second windows supported by the chassis for sliding motion along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis between at least a rearward position and a forward position, the lever traveling along a path during movement of the frame from the rearward position to the forward position, a ramp supported by the chassis and within the path that the lever travels during movement between the rearward and forward positions so that the lever contacts the ramp and the second window is angled upward with respect to the first widow when the frame and first and second windows are in the forward position and so that he lever is released from the ramp and the second window is parallel to the first window when the frame and the first and second windows are in the rearward position. 
     
     
       32. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis, 
 a fold mirror supported by the chassis and including a reflecting surface for directing light from a first substantially vertical optical axis to a second substantially horizontal optical axis; 
 a microform media support structure supported by the chassis for supporting a microform media along the first optical axis; 
 a first carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis; 
 an area sensor supported by the first carriage for movement along the second optical axis within a first range to adjust a distance between the area sensor and the fold mirror, the area sensor further supported by the first carriage for rotation about an axis parallel to the second optical axis; 
 a second carriage supported by the chassis for movement along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis; 
 a lens supported by the second carriage for movement along the second optical axis within a second range to adjust the distance between the lens and the fold mirror, the lens positioned between the area sensor and the fold mirror; 
 a housing that forms an elongated cavity in which the carriages, fold mirror, area sensor and lens are located, the cavity having a horizontal length dimension that extends substantially parallel to the second optical axis; 
 a bracket supported by the chassis for movement between forward and rearward positions along a longitudinal trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis; and 
 a coupler supported by and movable along with the bracket, the coupler supported by the bracket for movement with respect to the bracket perpendicular to the longitudinal trajectory along a transverse trajectory, the media support structure mounted to the coupler for movement therewith. 
 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 32  further including a supply side roll film attachment and a take up side roll film attachment supported by the chassis on opposite sides of the housing that forms the elongated cavity. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the roll film attachments are mounted to the bracket for movement along with the bracket as the bracket moves between the forward and rearward positions along the longitudinal trajectory. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the media support structure moves along the transverse trajectory independent of the roll film attachments. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the roll film attachments are restricted to movement along trajectories that are parallel to the second optical axis. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the roll film attachments are immediately adjacent opposite sides of the housing. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein a light source is supported by the chassis and is vertically spaced from the fold mirror to form a gap and wherein the microform media support structure is aligned with the gap for movement along the transverse trajectory and the longitudinal trajectory to different locations within the gap. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein the bracket includes first and second parallel and spaced apart brackets and wherein the coupler includes first and second couplers on opposite edges of the media support structure. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein each of the couplers includes a rod member and a bearing linked to the rod member, the rod members substantially parallel and extending between the first and second brackets. 
     
     
       41. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a support structure that forms first and second cavities, the first and second cavities spaced apart to form a substantially horizontal gap there between; 
 a microform media support structure mounted within the horizontal gap for movement along a substantially horizontal longitudinal direction and a substantially horizontal transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; 
 an illumination source mounted within the first cavity to direct light along a first substantially vertical optical axis across the gap and into a front portion of the second cavity; 
 a fold mirror including a reflecting surface, the fold mirror supported within the second cavity and aligned with the first optical axis so that at least a portion of the light from the illumination source is directed at the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface forming a substantially 45 degree angle with the first optical axis and directing light that subtends the reflecting surface along a substantially horizontal second optical axis that forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis, the second optical axis extending away from the reflecting surface and toward a rear portion of the second cavity; 
 an area sensor supported within the second cavity and aligned along the second optical axis, the area sensor supported along the second optical axis for movement there along within a first range of movement; and 
 a lens supported within the second cavity between the fold mirror and the area sensor for movement along the second optical axis within a second range of movement, the second range overlapping the first range at least somewhat. 
 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the second cavity is located above the microform media support structure. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the media support structure includes a first window, a second window and a frame, the first window supported by the frame and the second window hingedly mounted to the frame along a rear edge of the second window proximate a rear edge of the first window, a lever extending from the second window proximate the rear edge of the second window, the frame and first and second windows supported by the chassis for motion along the longitudinal direction between at least a rearward position and a forward position, the lever traveling along a path during movement of the frame from the rearward position to the forward position, a ramp supported by the chassis and within the path that the lever travels during movement between the rearward and forward positions so that the lever contacts the ramp and the second window is angled upward with respect to the first widow when the frame and first and second windows are in the forward position and so that the lever is released from the ramp and the second window is parallel to the first window when the frame and the first and second windows are in the rearward position. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein the ramp extends downward into the gap from a portion of the structure that forms an upper one of the first and second cavities. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the lever extends upward from the second window proximate the rear edge of the second window. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of  claim 41  further including a housing that forms the second cavity, the apparatus further including a supply roll film attachment and a take up roll film attachment that are supported by the chassis on opposite lateral sides of the housing. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein the roll film attachments are located immediately adjacent the opposite sides of the housing. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 44  further including a second illumination source supported within the first cavity and directing light into the gap and toward the media support structure so that the light reflects off a a microform media supported by the media support structure and toward the reflecting surface. 
     
     
       49. A digital microform imaging apparatus, comprising:
 an assembly support structure that forms first and second cavities, the first and second cavities spaced apart to form a substantially horizontal gap there between; 
 an illumination source mounted within the first cavity to direct light along a first substantially vertical optical axis across the gap and into a front portion of the second cavity; 
 a fold mirror including a reflecting surface, the fold mirror supported within the second cavity and aligned with the first optical axis so that at least a portion of the light from the illumination source is directed at the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface forming a substantially 45 degree angle with the first optical axis and directing light that subtends the reflecting surface along a substantially horizontal second optical axis that forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the first optical axis, the second optical axis extending away from the reflecting surface and toward a rear portion of the second cavity; 
 an area sensor supported within the second cavity and aligned along the second optical axis, the area sensor supported along the second optical axis for movement there along within a first range of movement; and 
 a lens supported within the second cavity between the fold mirror and the area sensor for movement along the second optical axis within a second range of movement, the second range overlapping the first range at least somewhat; 
 a microform media support structure supported by the assembly support structure for movement within the gap along a substantially horizontal longitudinal direction that is substantially parallel to the second optical axis within a first range of motion between a rearward position and a forward position and along a substantially horizontal transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction within a second range of motion between first and second end positions; and 
 a source roll film attachment and a take up roll film attachment supported by the support structure on opposite lateral sides of the second cavity. 
 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein the roll film attachments are vertically spaced apart from the media support structure such that the media support structure moves along the second range of motion substantially unimpeded by the roll film attachments. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein the roll film attachments are vertically spaced above the media support structure. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein a housing forms the second cavity, the housing including a top surface, each of the roll film attachments includes a roll attachment shaft and the shafts extend substantially parallel to the second optical axis, each shaft at a height that is below the top surface of the housing. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein the second cavity is formed above the gap. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein the roll film attachments are linked to the media support structure to move therewith as the media support structure moves along the longitudinal direction between the rearward and forward positions.